Hearts launch striker search

A STRIKER and goalkeeper are Csaba Laszlo's priorities ahead of the new season as the Hearts manager busies himself identifying players who can add vital experience to his squad.

Laszlo is currently working on recruiting new talent following the capture of David Obua and hopes to bring several trialists to the club's training base here in Wiesbaden. He recognises a need for urgent reinforcements in attack, even after Juho Makela joined the squad in Germany today following a loan spell at HJK Helsinki.

The Hungarian told the Evening News that he has a forward in mind but was reluctant to go into detail. He also wants competition for Steve Banks, the club's current first-choice goalkeeper.

"At the moment we have two young players, Jamie Mole and Gary Glen, who need a little bit of time. Therefore, we must bring in a striker with experience who can lead the attack. This is my target just now and this is what I am looking for," said Laszlo.

"I have someone in mind, hopefully we will see him here in Germany. He is European, that is the area we are looking in. We have other forwards like Christian Nade but he is not ready at the moment. He is only doing preparation training so we cannot use him just now. I hope he will be fit enough to play in the next two or three weeks. We will try our best with him."

Laszlo also explained that Hearts' goalkeeping situation is commanding much of his attention. He left Anthony Basso, last season's second choice keeper, in Edinburgh on Sunday in favour of the Scotland Under-21 internationalist Jamie MacDonald. With Banks performing dual roles involving both coaching and playing, Laszlo stressed a desire for fresh blood.

"We have a very good goalkeeper but he has one leg in with the training staff and the other as number one," he said. "We also have a young goalkeeper but I think we need one goalkeeper with experience. Even for Steven, it's very important to know we have a competitor. I hope in the next few days we will have some other players here for trials. I hope we can get maybe two or three players and I have targets in mind.

"We know the players but before we give them a contract and bring them into the team we have to make sure they are right.

"I will get DVDs and videos and I will know everything about the player and his family before we sign anybody."

Obua trained with his new colleagues for the first time yesterday morning at the Rheingau Stadium in Rudesheim. Standing well over 6ft tall, he provides a presence and, as Laszlo explained, adaptability.

"He is 24 and can play on the left in all positions," said the Hearts manager. "He can also play behind the striker so technically he is a very good player.

"He learned a lot of tactics in South Africa. With David we can have a very positive future. He is a young player from Kaiser Chiefs.

"He played three years for them and was one time player of the year in South Africa.

"If I don't know 100 per cent the player and I don't have 200 per cent information about them then I don't take them to the club.

"I know David and this is his first step in Europe, which is very important for his future.
"I know David was three or four years professional and played in Uganda, America and South Africa.

"He knows what it is all about and his attitude and talent are on show for everyone to see. I know he is a very positive guy and he can even be a leader if he sees the chance.

"He was the national team leader and I want people to have the responsibility of him.

"All the time people ask what to do but David knows 100 per cent what he has to do."